Educational toy



Aug. 28, 1956 R. MARGOLIUS EDUCATIONAL TOY Filed July 24, 1952 INVENTOR 5 Wagner Mk/ewL/w B; M @z/ww ATTORNEY United States Patent EDUCATIONAL TOY Robert Margolius, Columbia, S. C., assignor to Ben Arnold Application July 24, 1952, Serial No. 300,693

4 Claims. (Cl. 35-36) This invention relates to toys and more particularly to a toy having characteristics providing both amusement and education.

An object of my invention is to provide a toy that is both entertaining and instructive and which can be readily employed by a young child.

A further object of my invention is to furnish a toy which will provide instruction in, for instance, the alphabet or in numbers, and also satisfy a childs yearning to draw with or use a pencil or crayon.

Another object of my invention is to provide a toy having educational and amusement qualities which also promotes manual dexterity.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the toy showing blocks as received therein in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device as seen in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating a securing device for the toy and the manner in which it impinges on a drawing board, as well as a lettering block, a pencil and the scriber employed in tracing with a lettering block.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevational view taken along the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a lettering guide block which may be employed with the invention.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

The present trend in toys is toward instrumentalities which provide both amusement and instruction to children. It is easily recognized that when amusement and instruction are combined the rate of learning is increased. The present invention as pointed out in the objects and as will appear from the following particular description answers the need for a toy aflording instruction, as well as pleasure.

Referring now in particular to the drawing, reference character 10 indicates a channel shaped member formed of a base 11 and upwardly extending flanges 12 and 13. The upwardly extending flanges are each provided with inturned edges 14 and 15 respectively. Downwardly extending flanges 16 and 17 are provided at each end of the base 11. Each of the flanges 16 and 17 are provided with end members 18 and 19 respectively which extend parallel to the base. It is seen that a drafting or drawing board may be inserted between the end portions 18 and 19 and base 11. The channel 10 may be slid along the board to any suitable position.

Flange 13 has secured thereto a locking device comprising a projection 20 having a threaded opening 21. A lock screw 22 is threadedly received in opening 21. It is seen that the screw may be moved so as to impinge on the drawing board received within the end portions 18 and 19 and the base 11 so as to fasten the channel in position. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a block which is adapted to be received within the channel formed by the base 11, flanges 12 and 13 and inturned edges 14 and 15. As shown, the block 25 has formed therein a channel or guideway 26 in the shape of the letter A. Obviously other letters, numerals or figures may be formed in similar blocks. The blocks are adapted to be slid into any desired position along base 11. They may be maintained in position manually by a user of the toy, or the flanges 12 and 13 may be so spaced that a relatively tight sliding fit is obtained with the block.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a scriber which may be employed in reproducing the figure formed in the block 25. As shown, the scriber comprises a pencil clamp 30 formed of a U shaped piece of flexible metal having legs 31 and 32 provided with an opening for receiving a clamping bar 33. The clamping bar is provided with a tapered opening 34, which as is well known, provides a clamping action for the clamp 30 upon being moved downwardly to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. When in an upper position, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, the clamp 30 is expanded sufliciently for insertion and withdrawal of a pencil, pen or other writing instrument, such as indicated at 35. The bar 36 is secured by flange 37 to clamp 30. The bar comprises a vertically extending leg 38 and a diagonally extending leg 39. The leg 38 is provided with a reduced end portion 40. The sleeve 41 is pivotally mounted on the reduced end portion 40. The leg 38 may be headed as at 42 to maintain the sleeve in position. At its lower end the sleeve is provided with a fork 43. Roller 44 is pivotally mounted on shaft 45 which is secured to the fork elements.

As illustrated in Fig. 3 the roller 44 can be inserted in the guideway 26. When thus inserted the scriber can be moved so as to direct the roller along the guideway. When such is done the letter, figure or other character containing the block is reproduced by the writing instrument 35. It is obvious that the roller 44 and sleeve 41 may be dispensed with if desired and that other follower means may be provided for following the guideway 26.

In using the above described toy a child can insert blocks having a particular character to be reproduced into the channel and then trace the same onto a piece of paper. The child is free to select whatever character strikes his fancy. It is clear that the construction of the device is simple enough that it can be used by even a very young child, yet the device will not only afiford amusement, but will give instruction in the alphabet, etc., and will provide training in manual skills.

It should be noted that the device can be securely fastened to a drafting board or similar device and has inherently a stability which is desirable in toys intended to be used by small children.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a block of substantial thickness, a guideway of substantial depth formed in said block and having a base a substantial distance beneath the face of said block, a scriber comprising a pencil-holding portion, a bar connected to said portion, said bar having a vertical leg, a second leg connecting said vertical leg with said portion, said vertical leg having a reduced end, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said reduced end, means for retaining said sleeve on said end, said sleeve being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said vertical leg, a follower pivotally connected to said sleeve and rotatable about an axis transverseto said longitudinal axis, said follower being positioned in abutting relation- 3 v ship with said base and being received in said guideway and movable along said base within said gnideway.

2. The device of claim 1, in which said block is supported upon a second base, said second base being of greater longitudinal extent than said block, flanges extending upwardly from said second base and forming a channel withinwh-ich said block is received, said channel having upper inturned edges preventing relative vertical movement between said'block and said second base, said second base having connecting end portions forming opposing channels for receiving opposite ends of a drawing board, and a device for impinging upon a surface of said drawing board and preventing relative movement of said second base with respect to said drawing board.

3. In combination, a block of substantial thickness, a guideway of substantial depth formed in said block and having a base a substantial distance beneath the face of said block, a scriber comprising a pencil-holding portion and a vertically extending leg connected to said po1tion, said leg having a reduced end portion, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said end portion about the longitudinal axis of the said end portion, and a roller rotatably connected o i l ve b t an axis t ansver e said l ngitudin l axis, ai roller being i rolling eng g ment with said base with said roller and sleeve being received in .said guideway.

4. The device of claim 3, in which said block is supported upon a second base, said second base being of greater longitudinal extent {than said block, flanges extending upwardly from said second base and forming a channel within which said block is received, said channel having upper inturned edges preventing relative vertical movement between said block and said second base, said second base having connecting end portions forming opposing channels for receiving opposite ends of a drawing board, and a device for impinging upon a surface of said drawing board and preventing relative movement of said second base with respect to said drawing board.

References vCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 414,300 Delay Nov. 5, 1889 447,651 Agee Mar. 3, 1891 11,143,393 Higbee June 1 5, 1915 2,146,465 Coppock Feb. 7., 1939 2,282,473 Hofimann May 12, 1942 2,283,064 Hilbrand May 12, 1942 2,582,117 Gui-llerrnet et al Jan. 8 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 209,374 Great Britain Jan. 10, 1924 730,747 France May '23, 19-32 

